Chapter 124: Just a Transaction

Xu Zhe’s latest alchemy session proceeded with exceptional smoothness.

The "Infant-Forming Pill" was, in reality, far less challenging than the "Nine Heavens Pulse-Reviving Pill," requiring fewer ingredients as well. However, because some of the herbs he had gathered originated from the Divine Alchemy Cave Heaven—where their age was truly excessive—Xu Zhe was forced to make adjustments, adding a few supplementary herbs to neutralize their potency.

Under the watchful eyes of Chu Xiaotong and the others, Xu Zhe successfully refined the Infant-Forming Pill. Unfortunately, Gu Jia’er’s cauldron was of inferior quality. Under the onslaught of such potent medicinal energy, the furnace predictably began to crack. Having learned from his previous experience, Xu Zhe finished the process just before the cauldron could explode, successfully producing a batch of top-grade Infant-Forming Pills.

"A monster, you are truly a monster." Gu Jia’er looked at the fragrant, shimmering pills in Xu Zhe’s hands and shook her head with a sigh. Even though this was her second time witnessing his alchemy, she could not help but feel a sincere sense of awe; it seemed the ancient art of alchemy was on the verge of a resurgence.

"Actually, your new alchemy methods have their merits," Xu Zhe said earnestly. "They are cautious, innovative, and significantly lower the barrier to entry, which makes them very suitable for widespread promotion."

After the Alchemy Grand Competition, he had realized that the alchemy standards in this realm were indeed lacking. However, they did excel in one area compared to the Cangtian Domain: the sheer number of low-to-mid-level alchemists was overwhelming, and the cost of training such practitioners was drastically lower. All of this was thanks to the new techniques brought by Dong Fang and her peers.

"Just say the 'but' you’ve been wanting to say," Gu Jia’er remarked, rolling her eyes at Xu Zhe with a hint of indignation. She felt she had finally grasped the conversational style of this "Xu-Versailles-Zhe"—praising others only to elevate himself, yet doing so with such logic that one couldn't even refute it.

"But..." Xu Zhe nodded, his expression turning solemn. "Your new alchemy methods have a low ceiling. It seems you can only refine pills up to the first grade, correct?"

"That’s right." Gu Jia’er nodded, not bothering to deny it. They had conducted countless experiments and truly found no way to refine anything beyond the first grade. To them, the first grade was the absolute limit.

"That is because your new alchemy methods lack a soul," Xu Zhe said calmly. "It is a vague descriptor, unfortunately, and I don’t know how to express it in more practical terms. Once you have mastered my style of alchemy, you will understand."

Gu Jia’er’s mouth twitched. If we could master your ancient alchemy, why on earth would we bother with this "new" alchemy?

"How about this: when I have time, I will compile some basic knowledge for your reference," Xu Zhe promised after a moment of thought. After all, alchemy was not like a cultivation technique that could be copied wholesale; it encompassed a vast array of knowledge that required time to organize. He was feeling rather lazy at the moment and only wanted to focus on improving his own strength, with no desire to waste precious cultivation time on unimportant people. Gu Jia’er, after all, was not Chu Xiaotong. If "Brother Tong" had asked, he would have written it out in ten minutes without hesitation.

"That’s fantastic! Since you’ve said so, I won’t stand on ceremony. Remember to write it for me when you have time," Gu Jia’er said, her face glowing with excitement. She didn't forget to glance secretly at Chu Xiaotong, a smug sense of triumph in her eyes, believing she had gained the upper hand.

"Oh, right, I'll write it when I have time," Xu Zhe replied with a nod.

"Xu Zhe, I must be going," Chu Xiaotong suddenly said, her expression grave.

"What’s wrong?" Xu Zhe asked. While he was refining the pills, he had noticed Chu Xiaotong receive something akin to a sound-transmission talisman. Since then, she had been preoccupied, yet she had stayed behind to wait for him to finish. If she was in such a rush to leave, it certainly wasn't a minor matter.

"I just received an urgent order from the front lines of the Vermilion Bird Army. The demon race has invaded beyond the borders of the Southern Heaven Continent," Chu Xiaotong frowned.

"What?" Qu Hongxiu and Gu Jia’er changed color simultaneously.

"Master, how is that possible? Didn't we just drive the demon race back into the Demon Domain not long ago? Logically, they should be recuperating; they shouldn't be attacking us so soon," Qu Hongxiu asked in astonishment.

"The fact that they were driven back so easily last time already felt strange to me," Chu Xiaotong said in a deep voice. "The fact that they are suddenly invading our border defenses now suggests the situation is not simple." She looked toward Xu Zhe, a silent signal that it was time to say goodbye. "Regardless, I must return to take command. If demon kings enter the battlefield, the border defenses will be in great danger."

"I’ll go with you. I’m free right now and have nothing else to attend to," Xu Zhe said.

Gu Jia’er was stunned. *What do you mean, you’re free?*

"No. Not you, and Hongxiu cannot go either. The Council has issued a high-level war decree. The main battlefield is the first line of defense; those below the Exit-Opening Stage are not permitted to enter," Chu Xiaotong said, shaking her head firmly.

"It doesn't matter. The Exit-Opening Stage is nothing to fear," Xu Zhe said nonchalantly. With his current strength, he could still handle fifty cultivators at the Exit-Opening stage.

"The main battlefield is filled with various restrictions, and the Exit-Opening Stage is merely the baseline combat strength on the front line. If something happens to you... forget it. In short, you cannot go. Once I clear the defenses, you and Hongxiu can come join me," Chu Xiaotong said sternly.

***

In the past, the Vermilion Bird Army camp on the border was the safest place. But this sudden, fierce invasion by the demon race made her feel that things were not so simple. Although Xu Zhe was powerful, he was ultimately only at the early Golden Core stage. If any demons at the Integration stage—or even higher—were involved, Xu Zhe would be in extreme danger.

"Don't be like that, Master! Uncle Xu and I can stay at the rear defense camp," Qu Hongxiu said, her face full of anxiety. She realized the danger of this sudden war, but she was unwilling to hide away inside the Southern Heaven Continent.

"Enough, I said no, and that is final." Chu Xiaotong glared at her, emphasizing her position once more. She knew that if she allowed Xu Zhe and Qu Hongxiu to follow her to the rear, given Xu Zhe's personality, he would undoubtedly sneak off to the first line of defense to stir up trouble.

"Fine, I won't go for now. Just remember to take your medicine," Xu Zhe said with a sudden smile. He understood Chu Xiaotong's intentions and possessed enough self-awareness. As she said, the first line of defense was a battlefield for those above the Exit-Opening stage; at his current level, his presence wouldn't help and might even distract her, making him a burden. Of course, once he reached the Nascent Soul stage, it would be a different story. If he went to the front line to wander around then, surely Chu Xiaotong wouldn't mind?

"En. I'm leaving. Once the Divine Alchemy Cave Heaven closes, go to the Putuo Holy Land and wait for my news," Chu Xiaotong left these final words before disappearing like a gust of wind, vanishing without a trace.

"Oh, Uncle Xu, how could you agree not to go? The battlefield must be so dangerous right now..." Qu Hongxiu looked at Xu Zhe in distress.

"Would it be useful if we went?" Xu Zhe replied calmly. "At most, I can instantly kill those at the Exit-Opening stage. Even if I used all my strength and magic treasures, I could only take out a few at the Spirit-Severing stage. It wouldn't change the overall situation."

"Ah... this..." Qu Hongxiu was speechless, suddenly becoming calm and rational. Uncle Xu was right; killing a few Exit-Opening or Spirit-Severing cultivators wouldn't shift the tide of a major war. But why did his words feel so painful to hear?

"Don't worry, your master's strength is formidable. She has handled more dangerous situations in the past, and she will be able to resolve this. Those demon kings beyond the borders are nothing to worry about," Gu Jia’er comforted her.

"But I have a feeling this time is different..." Qu Hongxiu said worriedly, though she felt helpless; with her current strength, she truly couldn't help.

*Coincidentally,* Xu Zhe thought, a glint of light passing through his eyes, *I have that feeling too.*

This war was timed rather cleverly. There were border battlefields in all four continents, yet they chose to attack the Southern Heaven Continent’s defenses specifically. The reason was likely not simple. If the goal was to draw Chu Xiaotong away, then she shouldn't be in any immediate danger. If it were a coincidental attack, then as he had said, going there would be useless and only turn him into a liability. Ultimately, the most important thing was to improve his strength.

"Xu Zhe, so are we staying here to continue gathering herbs, or are we going back to the Putuo Holy Land to write those notes?" Gu Jia’er asked, casting him a pointed look, hinting heavily.

"How much longer until the Divine Alchemy Cave Heaven closes?" Xu Zhe asked.

"Ten days. You still want to stay and collect more herbs? But the alchemy toxins in the ground..." Gu Jia’er hesitated.

"Only ten days? That’s not quite enough..." Xu Zhe frowned. By his calculations, ten days were only enough to reach the late Golden Core stage and then take pills to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. This final process would be time-consuming, and if he factored in the Heavenly Tribulation, it would take several more days. But if he went outside to enter seclusion, the Putuo Holy Land was so weak that if someone wanted to cause trouble, it might implicate the innocent.

"Ten days isn't enough?" Gu Jia’er felt a shiver of shock. *Good heavens, is he planning to strip every herb field in the cave heaven bare?* However, after thinking it over, she said, "If you really want to stay longer, it’s not a problem. The Divine Alchemy Cave Heaven is different from other secret realms. As long as you have the key, you can leave at any time, even after it closes."

"Oh?" Xu Zhe’s eyes lit up, gleaming.

"Eh?" Gu Jia’er blinked. *He looks so handsome when he does that!*

"Lend me the key, and I will write the basic alchemy notes for you immediately. How about that?" Xu Zhe asked.

Gu Jia’er: "..." *You bastard, what’s so handsome about that! Is our relationship nothing more than a transaction?*

"Deal!" Gu Jia’er agreed immediately.

Then she realized: "Wait, does this mean... you intend to stay behind by yourself?"

"En. I need to conceal my identity; it would be inconvenient for you to follow me," Xu Zhe nodded, already producing a blank jade slip and beginning to carve information into it.

"No, I want to stay!" Qu Hongxiu raised both hands in protest, strongly objecting. But it was to no avail.

...

A short while later, Xu Zhe completed the introductory and foundational notes on ancient alchemy, carving them all into the jade slip, successfully trading them for Gu Jia’er’s key. To be precise, it was the key to the Divine Alchemy Cave Heaven, not the key to Gu Jia’er herself.

The key was a square jade pendant, densely covered in intricate patterns—a type of array formation. But in the center of the pendant was a familiar, small black shard. After observing it closely, Xu Zhe’s expression turned peculiar.

"How did you obtain this key?" Xu Zhe asked curiously.

"It’s quite a coincidence. After I awakened in the Valley of Heaven's Pride, I happened to find it by chance. It wasn't until I arrived at the Southern Heaven Continent that I discovered the secret realm of the Divine Alchemy Cave Heaven," Gu Jia’er said with a faint smile. She still felt quite lucky whenever she thought about it.

*So it’s also from the Valley of Heaven's Pride...* Xu Zhe understood, nodding slightly. That made sense.

He had a similar piece of small black iron embedded in his own possession, which he had pried off a walking stick. He vaguely remembered that it was a wonderful night—the first night after he had awakened—known as the Night of Soul Suppression. A kind-hearted old grandmother had gifted him the iron staff...

However, that piece of Geng-gold fragment had a tiny "Fire" character carved into it. The iron fragment in Gu Jia’er’s pendant had a "Cloth" character. Judging by the marks on the edges of the fragments, these two characters were likely unrelated. Xu Zhe pondered this but chose not to dwell on it; after all, the opening and closing of the cave heaven were primarily driven by the array patterns on the pendant, which worked in tandem with the iron shard. If he broke the pendant to remove the shard, the key would be ruined.

With one hand exchanging the key and the other the notes, Xu Zhe and Gu Jia’er concluded their deal. Under his urging, Gu Jia’er dragged a fuming Qu Hongxiu away. Qu Hongxiu had struggled and resisted, but in front of Gu Jia’er, whose Integration-stage cultivation had been restored, everything seemed futile.

Only Xu Zhe watched Gu Jia’er’s departing figure with a sense of regret. *The bloodline of the Cheng-Huang!* In the end, he never did get to ride Gu Jia’er.

Once they had completely departed, Xu Zhe looked around, his figure flickering as he dashed forward. It took him two days to comb through the remaining half of the herb fields, picking up a few rare herbs along the way. During his journey, he encountered many cultivators, but without exception, even those at the Spirit-Severing stage chose to turn and leave, unwilling to provoke him or have any interaction.

By the third day, Xu Zhe found a deserted spot, altered his appearance, and changed his cultivation level and aura as well. Once at the early Golden Core stage, he now disguised himself as a middle-aged man at the Exit-Opening stage. He left the herb fields and headed toward a high mountain. After a careful search, he dug out a small cave in a hidden spot on the mountainside and set up a few basic formations. Finally, he stepped inside and covered the entrance with a concealment array. From the outside, the cave vanished, and the mountainside returned to its original appearance. Everything felt secure.

Inside the cave, Xu Zhe sat cross-legged and took out the remaining herbs he had gathered, piling them beside him.

"Swoosh!"

He pulled out a Return-to-Origin Quicksand Fruit, bit into a bitter-tasting Golden Crow Ginseng, and chewed them together. A moment later, he closed his eyes, and the spiritual energy within his body began to surge...

***

[The extended chapter is here! Please vote! I’ve finally adjusted my sleep schedule to normal over the past few days, so I will resume regular updates tomorrow and try to post as much as I can for everyone!]